Maryland HB701: Department of Natural Resources - Water Resources - Identification of Vernal Pools (Jack Cover Vernal Pool Wetlands Protection Act of 2026)

What the bill says

An act concerning Department of the Environment Natural Resources - Water Resources - Protection Identification of Vernal Pools (Jack Cover Vernal Pool Wetlands Protection Act of 2026) FOR the purpose of requiring the Department of the Environment to adopt regulations in a certain manner Natural Resources in coordination with the Department of the Environment to identify and protect certain vernal pools in the State in a certain manner…

From the engrossed text, April 9, 2026:

AN ACT concerning Department of the Environment Natural Resources - Water Resources - Protection Identification of Vernal Pools (Jack Cover Vernal Pool Wetlands Protection Act of 2026) FOR the purpose of requiring the Department of the Environment to adopt regulations in a certain manner Natural Resources in coordination with the Department of the Environment to identify and protect certain vernal pools in the State in a certain manner; requiring the Department, when issuing a certain permit, to protect certain vernal pools that are located within the geographic area covered by the permit of Natural Resources to create and maintain a certain list of vernal pools in the State in a certain manner; requiring the Department of the Environment to designate staff to receive training in vernal pool identification and to notify the Department of Natural Resources under certain circumstances; and generally relating to the regulatory protection of water resources and identification of vernal pools in the State. BY adding to Article - Environment Natural Resources Section 5-205 1-1002 Annotated Code of Maryland (2013 2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Environment Section 5-901(a), (b), (f), and (m) EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law. Underlining indicates amendments to bill. Strike out indicates matter stricken from …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Terri Hill (D, HD-012) · primary sponsor
• Mary Lehman (D, HD-021)
• Jennifer Terrasa (D, 13)
• Chao Wu (D, 9A)
• Robbyn Lewis (D, 46)
• Odom, Darrell (D, 27A)

Latest actions

1. April 13, 2026: Rereferred to Education, Energy, and the Environment
2. April 10, 2026: Referred Rules
3. April 9, 2026: Third Reading Passed (95-38)
4. April 9, 2026: Second Reading Passed with Amendments
5. April 9, 2026: Favorable with Amendments {693524/1 Adopted
6. April 8, 2026: Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation
7. February 4, 2026: Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
8. February 2, 2026: First Reading Environment and Transportation

Votes

• Third Reading Passed (95-38) (April 9, 2026): 95 yea, 38 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB701?

HB701 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Department of Natural Resources - Water Resources - Identification of Vernal Pools (Jack Cover Vernal Pool Wetlands Protection Act of 2026).

What does HB701 do?

In its own words: An act concerning Department of the Environment Natural Resources - Water Resources - Protection Identification of Vernal Pools (Jack Cover Vernal Pool Wetlands Protection Act of 2026) FOR the purpose of requiring the Department of the Environment to adopt regulations in a certain manner Natural Resources in coordination with the Department of the Environment to identify and protect certain vernal pools in the State in a certain manner…

What is the status of HB701?

In committee as of April 13, 2026. Latest action: Rereferred to Education, Energy, and the Environment (April 13, 2026).

Who sponsored HB701?

Terri Hill (D, HD-012), with 5 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB701?

On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0701?ys=2026RS